If any emcee can be considered a conundrum, it would be Erk. Known for his radio jams that get play in the bay, he is quick to have an auto tuned chorus. Yet, he will have those songs that are elaborate, thoughtful, and lyrically agile. I was expecting the same on Thirds Eye View. In turn, I got an album that I wasn’t expecting: more knock and less introspection.

 

Do not get me wrong: there are some dope songs on here. “Too Far” gives me that old Erk Tha Jerk sound that I fell in love with. Spitting the reality that is surrounding him makes him endearing. On the flip side, songs like “Fuck Hard”, “Protocol”, and “Always” bring in those descriptive lyrics of financial achievement and shining aura (i.e. ballin’ and looking fly). His most attractive qualities tend to shine through those tracks. Thus, I cannot say that he wasn’t partially consistent on this effort.

 

However, it is when he gets into the club/dance/bounce ready tracks that he surprisingly falters. “Hands On It” is great for the strip clubs. But, as a whole, the song is pretty run-of-the-mill. The same can be said for “Shake It Like A Dog”. There are going to be plenty of people that love these songs for their purpose. Still, they come off as borderline average at best.

 

While Erk That Jerk has demonstrated he has the goods, Thirds Eye View should be so much more. Instead of sticking to the previous script or evolving, he went more stationary. The album didn’t show the growth within the forums that made him a main attraction. The introspection and cold chick jams aren’t as apparent and heavy on here. Nevertheless, the average sounding party songs are. Next go round, I hope to get a real third eye view of the one we know as Erk Tha Jerk.

 

 

 

Music review submitted by contributing writer, Mark A. Harris.